ICC, BCCI, Ministry of Education and UNICEF launch CRIIIO 4 GOOD INITIATIVE

Ahmedabad, 28 September 2023: International Cricket Council, Board of Control for Cricket in India, the Ministry of Education, Government of India and UNICEF with 1000 children launched CRIIIO 4 GOOD, a new online, life skills learning modules, to promote gender equity among girls and boys, here today.

Present at the event held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad were Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education, Government of India; Dr Kuberbhai Dindor, Minister of Primary, Secondary and Adult Education & Tribal Department, Government of Gujarat; Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, Board of Control for Cricket in India, Smriti Mandhana, Indian cricketer and Celebrity Supporter for ICC-UNICEF CRIIIO 4 GOOD initiative; Cynthia McCaffrey, Representative, UNICEF India and 1000 children.

Hon’ble Minister of Education, Government of India, Mr Dharmendra Pradhan said, "Empowerment of women, especially young girls have been the fundamental principles of NEP 2020 under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi ji. Glad that through #Criiio4Good, the power of sports and popularity of cricket is being used as a medium to empower the girl child and spread awareness about gender equity.”

Smriti Mandhana, well-known Indian cricketer and Celebrity Supporter for ICC-UNICEF and Ministry of Education CRIIIO 4 GOOD initiative, delivering the first learning modules to over 1000 school children at the stadium, said: “I am immensely proud to support the CRIIIO 4 GOOD together with ICC, BCCI, Ministry of Education and UNICEF. The modules are extremely engaging, and they use the power of cricket to talk about essential life skills and gender equity, among girls and boys in a fun, interactive way. Both girls and boys must be equally supported to reach their full potential, in sports and in life. This is an effort to give a message out in a simple and engaging manner.”

BCCI Honorary Secretary, Jay Shah said: "The Cricket World Cup is set to inspire the children of India over the course of the next two months and this initiative is a landmark step towards empowering the youth of our nation. CRIIIO 4 GOOD not only promotes the values of cricket but also imparts crucial life skills, including the significance of gender equity. It's a significant stride towards building a more equitable and enlightened future for our children."

Each animated film part of the CRIIIO 4 GOOD initiative focuses on a specific life skill, namely, leadership, problem-solving, confidence, decision-making, negotiation, empathy, teamwork and goal setting and is visualized through state-of-the-art animation using cricketing examples. In-depth research into local nuances makes the films real and relatable. To ensure wide reach, each of the eight learning modules are available free of charge at criiio.com/criiio4good and can be viewed in three languages, English, Hindi and Gujarati.

UNICEF India Representative, Cynthia McCaffrey said, “UNICEF believes and advocates for equal opportunities for girls and boys as a bedrock of every child in availing their rights, development, and safety. We welcome the partnership with ICC, Ministry of Education and BCCI to creatively promote gender equality on the important stage of ICC World Cup 2023 in India. CRIIIO4 GOOD is an innovative way of engaging millions of young minds with messages that both girls and boys have the right to equal opportunities and to reach their full potential. The ICC World Cup provides a brilliant opportunity to reach out to millions with the message that each one of us must be a champion for girls and promote equal rights for all children.”

International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice said: “CRIIIO 4 GOOD illustrates our commitment to fostering positive change through the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. We are thrilled to collaborate with UNICEF and believe that this program will instill essential life skills that transcend the boundaries of the cricket field. We are excited about the transformative impact it will have on the youth of India and beyond.”

Hon’ble Minister of Primary, Secondary and Adult Education & Tribal Department, Government of Gujarat Dr Kuberbhai Dindor said: “The launch of the LifeSkills module by ICC, UNICEF and Ministry of Education is a testament to our commitment to nurturing not just young minds, but also resilient, compassionate, and informed global citizens. This innovative program will equip our children with the essential life skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. Education is not just about what we learn in books; it's about empowering our youth with the knowledge and tools to navigate life's challenges. Together with ICC, UNICEF and the Ministry of Education, we are shaping a generation prepared to lead, inspire, and make a positive impact on our world.”

The Ministry of Education, Government of India, will disseminate the modules to more than 1.5 million schools across India and the Diksha platform.